3-11-1

Taxi and Ground Movement Operation

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

When necessary for a wheeled helicopter or powered‐lift aircraft to taxi on the surface, use the phraseology in paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations.
Note

Ground taxiing uses less fuel than hover‐taxiing and minimizes air turbulence. However, under certain conditions, such as rough, soft, or uneven terrain, it may become necessary to hover/air‐taxi for safety considerations. Helicopters with articulating rotors (usually designs with three or more main rotor blades) are subject to “ground resonance” and may, on rare occasions, suddenly lift off the ground to avoid severe damage or destruction.
When requested or necessary for a helicopter or powered‐lift aircraft to proceed at a slow speed above the surface, normally below 20 knots and in ground effect, use the following phraseology, supplemented as appropriate with the phraseology in paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations.
Phraseology

HOVER‐TAXI (supplemented, as appropriate, from paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations.)
CAUTION (dust, blowing snow, loose debris, taxiing light aircraft, personnel, etc.).

Note

Hover‐taxiing consumes fuel at a high burn rate, and helicopter downwash turbulence (produced in ground effect) increases significantly with larger and heavier helicopters.

Reference

P/CG Term- Hover Taxi.
AIM, Para 4-3-17, VFR Helicopter Operations at Controlled Airports.
When requested or necessary for a helicopter or powered‐lift aircraft to proceed expeditiously from one point to another, normally below 100 feet AGL and at airspeeds above 20 knots, use the following phraseology, supplemented as appropriate with the phraseology in paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations.
Phraseology

AIR‐TAXI:
VIA (direct, as requested, or specified route)
TO (location, heliport, helipad, vertiport, vertipad operating/movement area, active/inactive runway).
AVOID (aircraft/vehicles/personnel). If required,
REMAIN AT OR BELOW (altitude).
CAUTION (wake turbulence or other reasons above).
LAND AND CONTACT TOWER,
or
HOLD FOR (reason- takeoff clearance, release, landing/taxiing aircraft, etc.)

Note

Air‐taxi is the preferred method for helicopter movements on airports provided ground operations/conditions permit. Air‐taxi authorizes the pilot to proceed above the surface either via hover‐taxi or flight at speeds more than 20 knots. Unless otherwise requested or instructed, the pilot is expected to remain below 100 feet AGL. The pilot is solely responsible for selecting a safe airspeed for the altitude/operation being conducted.

Reference

P/CG Term - Air Taxi.
AIM, Para 4-3-17, VFR Helicopter Operations at Controlled Airports.

WAKE TURBULENCE APPLICATION
Avoid clearances which require small aircraft or helicopters to taxi in close proximity to taxiing or hover‐taxi helicopters.
Reference

AC 90-23, Aircraft Wake Turbulence, Para 10 and Para 11.